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= Introduction = | = Introduction = | ||
== Purpose == | |||
The purpose of this guide is to help you discover your ancestry using the records available in the Family History Library, the FamilySearch™ Center, or one of the more than two thousand family history centers located throughout the world. | The purpose of this guide is to help you discover your ancestry using the records available in the Family History Library, the FamilySearch™ Center, or one of the more than two thousand family history centers located throughout the world. | ||
== Records at the Family History Library == | |||
Since it was established in 1894, the Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has become the largest of its kind in the world. The library has collected millions of microfilms, thousands of microfiche and books, and many other records. Most of the microfilms have been acquired through an extensive microfilming program that began in 1938. Microfilmers are presently filming original documents in churches, courthouses, and other archives in many countries. The originals of these microfilms are preserved in a vault in the mountains near Salt Lake City. Copies of the microfilms are available for use at the Family History Library and at family history centers. | Since it was established in 1894, the Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has become the largest of its kind in the world. The library has collected millions of microfilms, thousands of microfiche and books, and many other records. Most of the microfilms have been acquired through an extensive microfilming program that began in 1938. Microfilmers are presently filming original documents in churches, courthouses, and other archives in many countries. The originals of these microfilms are preserved in a vault in the mountains near Salt Lake City. Copies of the microfilms are available for use at the Family History Library and at family history centers. | ||
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Some of the information collected by the library is available on a computer system called FamilySearch™. This information is stored on compact discs. If you are unfamiliar with computers, there is a program available on the computer to help you learn about using FamilySearch. | Some of the information collected by the library is available on a computer system called FamilySearch™. This information is stored on compact discs. If you are unfamiliar with computers, there is a program available on the computer to help you learn about using FamilySearch. | ||
== Services and Resources == | |||
Library employees and family history center volunteers can help you use the records. They can't do research for you, but they will help you use the records to do your own research. | Library employees and family history center volunteers can help you use the records. They can't do research for you, but they will help you use the records to do your own research. | ||
=== FamilySearch™ Center === | |||
The FamilySearch™ Center is designed to introduce individuals unacquainted with family history to the joy and excitement of discovering their ancestors. The center, located in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at 15 East South Temple Street in Salt Lake City, has FamilySearch computers, the United States 1920 census, and other records designed to assist the beginning researcher. | The FamilySearch™ Center is designed to introduce individuals unacquainted with family history to the joy and excitement of discovering their ancestors. The center, located in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at 15 East South Temple Street in Salt Lake City, has FamilySearch computers, the United States 1920 census, and other records designed to assist the beginning researcher. | ||
=== Family History Library === | |||
The Family History Library is designed to help individuals experienced in family history research who need information from many records to extend their family lines. Most of the records more advanced researchers need are available at the library, which is located at 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. | The Family History Library is designed to help individuals experienced in family history research who need information from many records to extend their family lines. Most of the records more advanced researchers need are available at the library, which is located at 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. | ||
=== Family History Centers === | |||
[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|Family history centers]] are located throughout the world. Each has a basic collection of records and research publications to assist researchers. Each center has computers with Internet access. Most records available on microfilm or microfiche at the Family History Library may be ordered for use at the centers. | [[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|Family history centers]] are located throughout the world. Each has a basic collection of records and research publications to assist researchers. Each center has computers with Internet access. Most records available on microfilm or microfiche at the Family History Library may be ordered for use at the centers. | ||
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= Additional Information = | = Additional Information = | ||
== Indexing of Records == | |||
As you search for your family members beyond the first few generations, you will often use original records. Many of these records are not indexed and may be in languages or handwriting you are not familiar with. You can help index names found in original records, thereby making the records more accessible to other researchers. | As you search for your family members beyond the first few generations, you will often use original records. Many of these records are not indexed and may be in languages or handwriting you are not familiar with. You can help index names found in original records, thereby making the records more accessible to other researchers. | ||
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Thousands of volunteers are helping to extract or index information from vital, census, and immigration records. For information about how you can participate in the Family Record Extraction program, ask a staff member for the name of the local extraction director. | Thousands of volunteers are helping to extract or index information from vital, census, and immigration records. For information about how you can participate in the Family Record Extraction program, ask a staff member for the name of the local extraction director. | ||
== Other Services == | |||
The following services are also available to you. | The following services are also available to you. | ||
=== Orientation === | |||
A brief orientation program is available at the Family History Library. To preserve the quiet research environment of the library, guided tours are not provided. Family history centers may provide orientation programs, including guided tours. Ask a staff member. | A brief orientation program is available at the Family History Library. To preserve the quiet research environment of the library, guided tours are not provided. Family history centers may provide orientation programs, including guided tours. Ask a staff member. | ||
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An orientation to FamilySearch™ and the FamilySearch Center is available on each FamilySearch computer in the center. | An orientation to FamilySearch™ and the FamilySearch Center is available on each FamilySearch computer in the center. | ||
=== Group Visits === | |||
For group visits, please contact the Family History Library, the FamilySearch™ Center, or a family history center in advance for a list of services, hours, holiday schedules, and other information that can make your visit more successful. Basic services are listed in the publication Family History Library and Family History Centers Services and Resources. This publication is updated annually. Ensure that your group is prepared to use the facility. In the Family History Library and FamilySearch Center, you can request a room for classes or meetings. The FamilySearch Center has rooms available with FamilySearch computers for group activities. | For group visits, please contact the Family History Library, the FamilySearch™ Center, or a family history center in advance for a list of services, hours, holiday schedules, and other information that can make your visit more successful. Basic services are listed in the publication Family History Library and Family History Centers Services and Resources. This publication is updated annually. Ensure that your group is prepared to use the facility. In the Family History Library and FamilySearch Center, you can request a room for classes or meetings. The FamilySearch Center has rooms available with FamilySearch computers for group activities. | ||
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When you are in the research areas of the Family History Library, please separate into groups of no more than five, with a leader for each group. | When you are in the research areas of the Family History Library, please separate into groups of no more than five, with a leader for each group. | ||
=== Additional Instruction === | |||
Ask a staff member about classes, printed aids, video training programs, and other instructional resources. Genealogical forms and instructional publications are available for sale. In the Family History Library, items for sale are located near each copy center. | Ask a staff member about classes, printed aids, video training programs, and other instructional resources. Genealogical forms and instructional publications are available for sale. In the Family History Library, items for sale are located near each copy center. | ||
=== Accredited Genealogist® Professionals === | |||
If you wish to hire a researcher, ask a staff member for a list of accredited genealogist® professionals and the publication Hiring a Professional Genealogist. A list of qualified researchers can be found at [http://www.icapgen.org www.icapgen.org]. These people have passed a major examination in a geographic or subject area. They sign a code of ethics and renew their credentials every five years. | If you wish to hire a researcher, ask a staff member for a list of accredited genealogist® professionals and the publication Hiring a Professional Genealogist. A list of qualified researchers can be found at [http://www.icapgen.org www.icapgen.org]. These people have passed a major examination in a geographic or subject area. They sign a code of ethics and renew their credentials every five years. | ||
=== Correspondence === | |||
The Family History Library will respond to any questions that can be answered briefly but does not provide a research service. Ask a staff member for a Reference Questionnaire form on which to send your question. | The Family History Library will respond to any questions that can be answered briefly but does not provide a research service. Ask a staff member for a Reference Questionnaire form on which to send your question. | ||
=== Family History Centers === | |||
Family History centers are located throughout the world. You can use most of the Family History Library's microfilms on loan. Ask a staff member for a list of addresses for a specific area. | Family History centers are located throughout the world. You can use most of the Family History Library's microfilms on loan. Ask a staff member for a list of addresses for a specific area. | ||
=== Other Libraries and Archives === | |||
Excellent information is available from courthouses, libraries, archives, and societies. Ask a staff member for addresses and more information. | Excellent information is available from courthouses, libraries, archives, and societies. Ask a staff member for addresses and more information. | ||
== Library Rules == | |||
The Family History Library, the FamilySearch Center, and family history centers offer their services to the public with the understanding that those who use the collection will abide by the guidelines governing such use. Please observe the following rules so that all patrons can successfully use the facilities: | The Family History Library, the FamilySearch Center, and family history centers offer their services to the public with the understanding that those who use the collection will abide by the guidelines governing such use. Please observe the following rules so that all patrons can successfully use the facilities: | ||
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<nowiki>*Outside the United States and Canada, see "Civil Registration" instead of "Vital Records."</nowiki> | <nowiki>*Outside the United States and Canada, see "Civil Registration" instead of "Vital Records."</nowiki> | ||
Note: Also search the [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]], Subject section for key topics in your objective. <!--{12089611269880} --> | Note: Also search the [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]], Subject section for key topics in your objective. <!--{12089611269880} --> <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | ||
<!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | ||
[[Category:Beginners]] | [[Category:Beginners]] | ||